Audit Service
Our Audit service gives you a clear picture of your current benefits offering, identifying gaps, risks and opportunities to improve value and employee engagement.
Find out MorePension Scheme Trustees and Advisors
For over 40 years, we have been dedicated to supporting trustees in meeting their obligations and delivering on their promises to scheme members. Our team combines deep technical understanding with practical experience across pensions, benefits, and governance.
The Trustee’s Core Responsibilities
Regardless of background or experience, all trustees share a common responsibility: to act in the best interests of scheme members. This includes ensuring that the scheme is well funded, properly administered, and compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees must also ensure that the right benefits are paid to the right people at the right time.
- Pensions solicitors – legal experts specialising in pensions law and governance
- Actuaries – professionals who assess the scheme’s funding levels and advise on contribution requirements
- Investment advisers or fund managers – specialists who guide trustees on investment strategy and asset management
Lay Trustees
Lay Trustees are typically drawn from the sponsoring employer’s workforce or former workforce, including retirees. They are often members of the pension scheme themselves and may represent a broad cross-section of the organisation from shopfloor employees to senior management and directors. Their diverse backgrounds provide valuable insight into the needs and perspectives of the wider membership. Although they may not have specialist pensions knowledge upon appointment, Lay Trustees commit to understanding their duties and undertake training to meet the legal and fiduciary standards expected of them.
Get in TouchProfessional Trustees
Professional Trustees, by contrast, build their careers around pension scheme trusteeship. They usually hold recognised professional qualifications and often come from actuarial, legal, investment, or employee benefits backgrounds. Many have worked previously as advisers within the pensions sector and bring a depth of technical expertise to trustee boards. In some cases, entire trustee boards are made up solely of Professional Trustees; these arrangements are known as Professional Sole Trusteeships.
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Deal Management
We leverage our market expertise and supplier relationships to secure better terms, reduced costs and enhanced benefits for your organisation and your people.
Find out MorePension Schemes
For over 40 years, Optima has been dedicated to supporting trustees in meeting their obligations and delivering on their promises to scheme members.
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